Pelvic lymph nodes

Looks like

Chains of lymph nodes along the common, external and internal iliac vessels on the pelvic side walls, and smaller ones beside the bladder, rectum, uterus and prostate.

What it does

Filter the lymph from the pelvic organs, the perineum's deep parts and, through the external iliac chain, the leg.

Keeping it well

The first stop for cancers of the cervix, womb, prostate, bladder and rectum: whether they are involved decides the stage and the treatment. Removing them can leave leg swelling (lymphoedema).

Its parts

• Parietal pelvic lymph nodes
• Visceral pelvic lymph nodes

Related conditions

• Bladder cancer
• Bone metastases and spinal cord compression
• Cervical cancer
• Endometrial (womb) cancer
• Prostate cancer